• If you are being asked to change your password, and unsure how to do it, follow these instructions. Click here

Best All Around Caliber for Whitetail and Mule Deer?

We're not alone here…..it just seems that way! Maybe, just maybe, some of these folks will gain "enlightenment" and start the pendulum swing back toward normalcy! 😉

Though, I find their antics rather entertaining……sorta like watching young children attempt playing 3 Dimensional Chess! 😜 memtb
 
AussieWriter said:
Memtb
I am with you and was about to cut out of this website altogether when I saw your post.

I came here to help people with a few loads now and then, still like to contribute my 63year experience popping primers, but this shorter than short carbine barrel fad leaves me cold.
Click to expand...
I'm with you. I'm not afraid to try a little bit of the new. I do love my ARs. 5.56-to dern puny, 7.62 x 51- gets it done, Creedmore- slow but accurate, Grendel-even slower but one of my absolute favorites. But as far as bolt gun cartridges go I like the old tried and true. I like a heavy rifle with a longer barrel. I have no cans, no brakes, no mono metal bullets. But I have gone high tech with thermal and in a word it's awesome for what I do. I still run 2 stroke outboards, I rebuild them myself, and I still fish with a cane pole at times. I still have to pull a shifter in the floor and get out to lock the hubs to put my truck in 4wd. It has vinyl seats and floors so I can wash it out with a water hose. I still live in a place where I can take a leak off the porch without offending someone and I exercise that right most every day. I also find myself wishing I could go back about 40 years and just stay there. I had it made and didn't know it !
 
I don't think there are any answers in new cartridges. They are not solving any problems, other than revenue generation.

If you really look at the real advancement in our industry, we have better bullets designed, and produced, to exceed anything available in the past. The faster twist barrels are done out of necessity to harness the new high BC bullets. Optics are so much better its astonishing.

The Hornady phenomenon of marketing is good at what they do, but their new offerings aren't really new, don't offer case capacities that are unavailable.

Consider the 6.5x55 or the 6.5 Redding to the 6.5 Needsmore.

How about the .22-250 Imp or the .22-243 Middlestead to the 22 Creedmoor.
Duane's 257 DGR to the 25 Creedmoor.
Still further, the 7 Mashburn or 280 AI to the 7mm PRC.

I could go on, but literally many older cartridges are capable if barreled for modern bullets.

The difference is the need to generate new revenue, rather than supporting existing inventory. The whole industrial world operates the same way. New equipment generates greater profits than parts support.
 
Last edited:
BigNate said:
I don't think there are any answers in new cartridges. They are not solving any problems, other than revenue generation.

If you really look at the real advancement in our industry, we have better bullets designed, and produced, to exceed anything available in the past. The faster twist barrels are done out of necessity to harness the new high BC bullets. Optics are so much better its astonishing.

The Hornady phenomenon of marketing is good at what they do, but their new offerings aren't really new, don't offer case capacities that are unavailable.

Consider the 6.5x55 or the 6.5 Redding to the 6.5 Needsmore.

How about the .22-250 Imp or the .22-243 Middlestead to the 22 Creedmoor.
Diane's 257 DGR to the 25 Creedmoor.
Still further, the 7 Mashburn or 280 AI to the 7mm PRC.

I could go on, but literally many older cartridges are capable if barreled for modern bullets.

The difference is the need to generate new revenue, rather than supporting existing inventory. The whole industrial world operates the same way. New equipment generates greater profits than parts support.
Click to expand...
This type of "phooey" has been going in since Weatherby tried to sell the .224 belted Weatherby Magnum as is the new offerings if today.

It too, was less than the existing .22/250 which also was established and had cheaper brass options.

Failed themes are always popular to re-establish but history has taught us that nothing is new and refinements arn't always noticeable in the field.

The next "big thing" is insinuated towards .257 caliber but what animal cannot be taken with a 100gn TTSX at over 3400fps with modern powders or a 120gn Partition approaching 3200fps.

I'll wait, shall I?
 
I think the biggest changes in recent cartridges are just the higher BC bullet geometries and more optimized case designs. They aren't going to totally obsolete the older cartridges, but maybe over time make them less popular in comparison as more people buy firearms with newer chamberings
 
AussieWriter said:
The next "big thing" is insinuated towards .257 caliber but what animal cannot be taken with a 100gn TTSX at over 3400fps with modern powders or a 120gn Partition approaching 3200fps.
Click to expand...

I don't even think the effectiveness on game is as much of a draw to the new buyers as high bc capabilities.

Many believe they are snipers and buy new products accordingly. It doesn't seem all that long ago that rangefinders, and twisty knob scopes were rare. Nobody but the most proficient carried a Kestrel.

I'm a fan of .25 caliber rifles, and have taken up to elk with them. They flat work. I'm considering a new 25 cal 7.5 twist barrel, and selling off some dust collectors.
 
bearhtr2 said:
Looking for thoughts on what caliber you guys would pick as the most versatile caliber for western whitetail and mule deer in factory offerings?

Thanks,
Mike
Click to expand...
The one you are the most accurate with under positional shooting and at the distances you will be shooting at. After that, your bullet selection is the most important, with caliber being a distant third place in priority.
 
Turpentine21 said:
I'm working on 21 grain high BC .177 pellet for a moose//brown bear hunt next year. Should work on deer as well. The gun will be my trusty Crossman pellet rifle. I figure with 10 or maybe cheating a little with 11 pumps that rig ought to stack em up. Plus I don't have to worry about primer, powder, or brass😏. Or a suppressor!
Click to expand...
Leave the keys in your truck - ok?
 
memtb said:
I believe that we're using the same "playbook" pretty often! And, I really have an undying love for medium bores pushed to higher velocities.


It seems that I'm trapped in a "time warp" and can't "choke down the "Koolaid" of today's "new" hunting philosophy! I'm old, and without reservation, relish the fact that I'm a dinosaur! 😂

I've also "shockingly" discovered that a medium bore pushed to higher velocities will kill deer sized pretty well! memtb
Click to expand...
There is a reason why the 45-70, 30-30, 06, 270, 6.5x55, 7.62x54 are still used 😃❗️all Dinosaurs 🦕 that still WORK
Now get Gun manufacturers to offer barrel spin options 👍👍
To me, Hunting Means getting as close as possible 😃 Targets are Another Thing. 😃
 
THANKS EVERYONE.

What we wanted is a caliber that was good for both deer species out to 500 yds. As the season would allow for either to be taken. We have settled on a 7mm Rem Mag. I just posted that I am looking for a left hand version now for the one southpaw son in law. Let me know if you have one collecting dust.

Thanks,
Mike
 
25-06 with 90gr Abosolute Hammers going 3600+ has been a superb balance between terminal performance and NOT creating a bunch of bloodshot meat for me.

I stepped up to a 270 WSM this year with the 122gr tipped Hammers going 3450. Superb terminal performance, but the amount of bloodshot meat was on par with cup and core. Gonna try their 116gr Absolutes next season. I think those 122gr would be great on elk, but just too much damage for my liking on deer.
 

Similar threads

B
Whitetail vs. Mule Deer
2 3
Replies
35
Views
4K
blumtn
B
M
Best State for Mule Deer?
2
Replies
19
Views
23K
1100 Remington Man
1100 Remington Man
P
best whitetail deer bullet
9 10 11
Replies
144
Views
36K
Longrange1965
L
J
Nebraska counter tag for whitetail or mule deer
Replies
1
Views
1K
Huskershooter6.5
Huskershooter6.5
B
Best State to Hunt Mule Deer?
2 3
Replies
36
Views
9K
wsmnut
W

Recent Posts

Top